unclear
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for unclear, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not obvious or easy to understand; ambiguous.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use unclear
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English unclere, from un- + clear.
Full origin of unclear →Frequently asked questions
What does “unclear” mean?
The word “unclear” means not obvious or easy to understand; ambiguous. In plain terms, not clearly understood, seen, or decided — leaves you uncertain.
How do you pronounce “unclear”?
“Unclear” is pronounced uhn-KLEER (/ʌnˈklɪɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “unclear” in a sentence?
Here is “unclear” used in a sentence: “It's unclear who will take over the project.”
What part of speech is “unclear”?
“Unclear” is an adjective.
Where does the word “unclear” come from?
The word “unclear” comes from Middle English. From Middle English unclere, from un- + clear.
Is “unclear” a common word?
“Unclear” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “unclear” have?
“Unclear” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not obvious or easy to understand; ambiguous.
What is the difference between 'unclear' and 'ambiguous'?
'Unclear' broadly means hard to understand or hard to see. 'Ambiguous' is more specific: it means open to more than one interpretation, so something ambiguous is unclear precisely because it could carry two or more meanings.
What is the difference between 'unclear' and 'vague'?
'Unclear' means not easy to understand or make out. 'Vague' means lacking exact detail or definition, so a vague statement is unclear because it is imprecise, whereas something can be unclear for other reasons, such as being poorly worded or hard to see.
Is it correct to say 'it is unclear whether'?
Yes. 'It is unclear whether…' is a standard, slightly formal construction used when something cannot be determined, as in 'It is unclear whether the flight will be delayed.' You can also use 'unclear if', 'unclear how', or 'unclear why'.
Can 'unclear' be used to describe a person?
'Unclear' normally describes things such as instructions, writing, images, or situations rather than people directly. To describe a person, say they were 'unclear about' something, meaning they did not express it clearly or were themselves uncertain.